Re[4]: pectoral muscles

[ccp@okway.okstate.edu]

<<3. Such quick bursts actually require MORE power (mechanical energy 
per unit time) than sustained forward flapping fight. The tension and 
strain on the muscle attachments are likely to be HIGHER for such burst 
flight than for sustained forward flight. White muscle generates more 
power than red muscle (because anaerobic pathways supply energy faster, 
and because without mitochodria taking up space, contractile muscle 
fibrils are more densely packed). Thus white muscles are not merely 
"sufficient," they are _better_ suited to certain functions than red 
muscles. However, anaerobically supported power output cannot be 
sustained for more than a couple of minutes; there's the trade-off.>>
     
>Rather like the inferred muscle physiology of Archaeopteryx by John 
Ruben.

          
     Yes, precisely. Ruben's argument was that Arch. could have taken off 
     from a standing start IF it had anaerobic, high-power muscles typical 
     of extant ectotherms.